The Mt. Zion football team showed up on Friday night at home in a game that saw light rain throughout the entire evening and exploded offensively to beat Mattoon, 48-19. The Braves quick strike ability was on display all night long and right out the gate in the first quarter on their first offensive play after a Mattoon interception, Braves quarterback Brandon Price connected with Bryson White for a 45 yard touchdown throw and catch for a 6-0 lead. Charlie Kuhle extended the lead for Mt. Zion with a interception returned for a touchdown to make it 13-0. Mattoon would get on the board in the first when Michael Smith caught a pass on a broken play and took 71 yards to the house to make it 13-7.
Mattoon would tie up the game at 13-13 a piece early in the second quarter, but from there it was all Mt. Zion. Price would connect with Kuhle on back-to-back possessions of 90 yard and 80 yard strikes for touchdowns to make it 27-13 in favor of the Braves. Mt. Zion would tack two more touchdowns and Mattoon would put one more score on the board as Mt Zion led at the half 41-19.
Price would punch in a touchdown late in the third to make it 48-19, which would end up being the final score.
Price finished unofficially with 392 yards passing and five touchdowns and Kuhle hauled in seven passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns and White had two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown for Mt. Zion.
Nick Poorman led Mattoon with 292 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Mt. Zion moves to 3-1 on the year and will take on 4-0 Taylorville at home on Friday night. Mattoon moves to 1-3 on the year and will return to action Friday night at home against Charleston.